F1 teams return to work on 2000 racecars

New Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello will take over testing for Ferrari in Spain, after test driver Luca Badoer spent three days at Fiorano this week.

The Brazilian, who has not tested since mid-December, will get back behind the wheel of his racecar in Barcelona.

Barrichello tested extensively last month before flying back to his native Brazil to undergo surgery on his ribs - which have troubled him since he suffered a crash during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

Barrichello's 2000 team-mate, Michael Schumacher, is scheduled to test later this month.

He has been absent since the last race of 1999 at Suzuka, in an attempt to fully recover from the broken leg he suffered at the British Grand Prix last July - which kept him out of the season until October.

He returned for the last two races in Malaysia and Japan, before resting his leg for the rest of the year.

Barrichello will begin a five-day Ferrari test session on January 17, with Schumacher returning around this time.

The Jordan outfit plans to carry out systems check on January 11-13 at Silverstone.

It plans to launch the EJ10 challenger in London on January 31, before travelling to Barcelona for a three-day test on February 2-4.

Meanwhile, McLaren-Mercedes is due to test with Olivier Panis and David Coulthard at Jerez on January 14-16, with the continuation of a dual programme of tyre and revised engine development.

It will move to Barcelona on January 19-21 for further testing with Panis and Coulthard.

World champion Mika Hakkinen is scheduled to return for a test at Jerez on February 3-6.

The Prost team will also be present in Barcelona between January 15-17.

It plans to carry out electronics system tests with Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin behind the wheel.

Swiss team Sauber will also be present in Barcelona this weekend. It plans to test for two days with Pedro Diniz, with new driver Mika Salo appearing on the thrid and final day of the test.

It will then move on to Jerez for 14-16, and Barcelona for January 24-26.

The Sauber-Petronas C19 2000 challenger will be unveiled on February 2 in Zurich.

New Formula 1 outfit, Jaguar Racing, spent Wednesday conducting a closed session at Silverstone. It also moves to Barcelona at the weekend.

After conducting tests at Jerez last month, Minardi is still working on its 2000 racecar, which is due to be launched mid-February.

British American Racing also plans to attend this weekend's testing, with Jacques Villeneuve driving the BAR-Honda.

His team-mate, Ricardo Zonta, takes over for a test at Jerez between January 14-16.